Listen to Your Gut

She scoffed at her fears. What harm could come to a little old lady on a beautiful sunny day in a safe neighbourhood?

She donned her coat, put her purse over her arm, and set out at a brisk pace up the broad street. Strangers smiled at her. She stopped to say “Hello” to the neighbours and make friends with the newest kids on the block. My mom-in-law loved children. The friendly tellers paid her bills one-by-one and gave her cash in her specific denominations. You know how old people are about their money.

But still, her gut nagged at her.

Almost home, she got tired and walked a little slower.

Suddenly, a man ran up from behind her, brutally snatched her purse from her arm, and vanished.

She screamed and screamed.

Neighbours came running to help and comfort her. The police were called.

“How much money did they get, ma’am?” the nice young officer asked.

My mom-in-law stood stock still on the sidewalk. Then she laughed and laughed. The poor officer thought she’d been made hysterical by the violence done her.

Finally my mom-in-law pulled herself together.

“My gut warned me, so I put my money in my pocket. All the man got was an empty purse with a handkerchief in it!”

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Published by Joan Leacott

Joan Leacott writes multi-generational romantic women's fiction about the lives, loves, and scandals of Clarence Bay, Canada. She also messes about with her piano and her camera.
View all posts by Joan Leacott

Your poor mother in law. thank heavens she listened to her gut. I’m getting better at this. I had to drive across town this morning to a meeting and the traffic was slow and the weather was ugly. and I wanted to fret that I’d be late, but my gut said I’d make it. I decided not to panic and lo and behold, I was on time. They even gave the group a short break so I could catch my breath. amazing what happens when i listen to my gut.

I’ve been convinced of the power of intuition since I listened to my gut and stayed against the wall in the subway. For some reason, I was absolutely terrified and deeply suspicious of the people around me. As soon as the train came in, the fear went away. I hate to think what I avoided.

Oh, Joan – the times I haven’t listened to my gut, I have regretted it! I’ve experienced anything as scary as your MIL’s situation, but I have certainly faced disappointment (wedding flowers) and other negative emotions. I’m a HUGE believer in listening to your gut!

Regrets are definitely rough justice for not listening. It’s kinda cool how, though she had a bad time at the beginning, this was one of her favorite stories to tell because she had listened to her gut.